Tooth-brush.



T. M. HEARD, JR.

TOOTH BRUSH.

APPLICATION men AUG.2I. 1916.

1,250,454. Patented Dec. 18,}917.

munlux 2: K115711917, :IH.

@zmdmm (film m THOMAS M. HEARD, .13., OFSIOUX CITY, IOWA.

TOOTH-BRUSH.

Specification of Letters latent'.

Patented Dec. 18, 1917.

Application filed August 21, 1916. Serial No. 115,924.

vented certain new and useful Improvements in Tooth-Brushes, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to toothbrushes.

The invention has for its primary object the production of an improved dentifricedispensing tooth-brush.

Another object of the invention is the production in a tooth-brush of improved means for applying dentifrice paste thereto.

A further object of the invention is the production of a dentifrice-dispensing toothbrush embodying certain novel features of construction whereby the dentifrice-retaining portion of the brush may be readily detached from the back of the brush to ermit the introduction of a new denti rice tube, or the attachment of a new brush.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates a dentifrice-dispensing tooth-brush particularly adapted for using collapsible tubes and embodying certain features to conserve the dentifrice.

Furthermore the invention has for an object the production of an improved dentifrice-dispensing tooth-brush inexpensive in manufacture, durable and thoroughly eflicient in operation.

Still a further object of the invention is the production of a tooth-brush which facilitates the ap lication and thereby stimulatos the use b dentifrice.

-With these and other objects in view, th invention, consisting in the construction, combination and novel arrangement of parts, will be fully understood from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application and in which like charac. ters of reference iindicate corresponding parts. throughout the several views, of which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tooth brushconstructed in accordance with the invention; 7

Fig; 2 is a longitudinal section of, the

Fig. 3 is aside elevation of the handle detached; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the collapsible tube follower.

Although I have illustrated and herein I after described the preferred embodiment of the invention, I would not be understood as being limited to the specific structure chosen for illustration for it will be apparent that various alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Referring, now, to the illustrations, 5, represents the back of the brush provided with the usual bristles, 6. The back is formed with a relatively short 0 lindrical shank, 7, provided with an axia bore, 8, threaded to receive the neck, 9, of a collapsible dentifrice tube, 10. The back is provided with a duct, 11, which communicates with the bore, 8, and the bristled face to convey the-dentifrice to the bristles.

The handle is a cylindrical tube, 12, adapted to freely inclose the collapsible tube and provided with an internal, an-- nular flange, 13, adapted to be engaged within a peripheral groove, 14, in the shank of the back. Opposite sides of the handle are provided with longitudinal slots, 15, and the flanged end is sheared as at 16, into the slots thereby permitting the handle or case to be sprung open as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 to permit access to the case and convenient detachment and attachment of the brush.

The sheared end of the case is normally encircled by a band, 17, provided with a bayonet slot, 18, adapted for engagement with 9. lug or stud, 19, on the case. The band secures the case to the brush and yet permitsrelative rotation between the case and the brush, and removal of empty and insertion of full tubes.

Within the case is a follower adapted to beimpelled in the direction of the brush by rotation of the handle to expel the dentifrice from the tube. In the resent embodiment this' follower consists o a cylindrical nut,

slid 03 the handle, the latter is sprung open. The brush is then screwed into the neck of a collapsible tube, and the opposite end of the tube, previously reduced and twisted is introduced into the follower nut. The nut vis then turned and as it cuts threads on the twisted endof the tube, it moves toward the brush. The tube is then inclosed within the handle and the handle replaced on the brush.

It is evident that by rotating the handle, the nut is forced toward the brush, thereby expelling the dentifrice into the brush.

The recessed face of the follower serves to gradually reduce and twist the end of the tube.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

1. A tooth-brush comprising a back and bristles thereon, a hollow handle rotatably secured to the back and adapted to freely inclos'e a colla sible dentifrice tube, the back beingadapt to be secured to the tube and convey the dentifrice to the bristles, and a follower nut movable longitudinally within and fixed to turn with the handle, adapted to be screwed onto and reduce the tube by rotation of the handle.

2. A tooth-brush comprising a back with bristles thereon, a cylindrical hollow handle rotatably and detachably secured to the back and adapted to freely inclose a collapsible dentifrice tube, the back being adapted to be secured the tube and convey dentimenace frice to the bristles, the handle being slotted longitudinally, and a cylindrical studded nut enga with the slotted handle movable longitudinally thereof and adapted to thread upon and thereby reduce the tube to expel the dentifrice by rotation of the handle.

3. A tooth-brushcomprising a back with.

ing an internalannular flange at one end freely engaged within the groove to rotatably secure the handle to the shank, opposite sides of the handle being slotted longitudinally and the flanged end being sheared longitudinally into the slots to permit spreading of the handle, a band removably encircling said end to normally prevent spreading of the .handle, a cylindrical nut movable longitudinally within the handle and having studs engaged within the slots, said nut being adapted to screw onto a reduced end of the tube, and provided with a recessed face to facilitate the reduction of the tube as the nut is screwed thereon.

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto set my hand't 's 16th day of August, 1916.

THOBMS M. WARD, die. 

